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Friday, March 19, 2010

"WHIMSY"



You probably have heard me mention that I love  a touch of whimsy in my home. I think whimsy is a bit subjective. What one person would find whimsical. another might find silly. I personally like a touch to bring formality down a notch. I think it keeps design real and more down to earth- not too stuffy. I thought I would show you some images that I find whimsical  in a home.  For me, it is taking a classically lined piece and painting it in a whimsical and fun color. The pieces below are good examples of what I find fun and whimsical

When I saw this image I smiled and started thinking where could I put something like this in my home. You know how I love black and white and then you add the shape of this piece and the harlequin pattern, well that just about took it over the top for me, Love it!! Notice how the lines on the console and the mirror are very classic, but they appear more fun because of the way they are painted. I really like the way the mirror is slightly outlined and so is the console. It is almost like a drawing in a color book. This piece and the next few pieces are from the line of furniture Italian desinger Nella Vetrina Home Designs 
                                                                                



Can you believe this piece for a bathroom. I am in love with this.



This piece is so inspring to me . I love the formal design in black. The contemporary legs in metal and the fantastic trough sink. You add the wonderful panel mouldings and the oversized mirror to the mix and this is just a WOW!!



This is really making me think about painting one of my older less favorite pieces a bright color.



With each picture that I looked at, I got more inspired to add whimsical touches everywhere.

You can see the outlining affect on this wonderful black piece. I can not tell if it is white or silver but either way it is amazing. I also love the clear glass lamp with the classic lines. The contemporary spiral bowl adds the perfect touch.


Oh My!! What a little paint will do for a piece.



Just look at the sconces how they repeat the design in the mirror. The same design is in white on the wonderful black doors. The more I see the more excited I get. I think that is what Whimsy is to me. It makes me smile and get excited about design.



I am in such awe of this I hardly know what to say . I think I will just let the picture speak for itself.






I love the use of a mirror inside the design on the door fronts.



All of the above pictures were by the same Nella Vetrina Home Designs.



I find this whimsical because it is a rope swing which means fun to every child and grown-up!

Here the homeowner has added whimsy with color and patterns. Notice the galvanized tub hanging upside down  and used as a light fixture over the bar area. The stools are each in a different color, much more fun than if they were all the same.

Notice how an every day object becomes whimsical when painted on a wall


Here an everyday bookshelf becomes whimsical when its shape become a little irregular and it is zig-zagging down the wall. 






I could not do a post without showing a bit of Mackenzies Child's designs She is probably the queen of Whimsy.

I was just reminded by someone near and dear to my heart that I have a whimsical lamp that I should show my readers .  This is a floor lamp so to see all the detail I had to take several pictures. I hope you don't mind. Starting from the bottom......





This lamp is handpainted by Tracy Porter for Shade of Light

I hope this Whimsy post has left you smiling.

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Adding a little Whimsy to your decor.

Kathysue

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Great collection of images, so inspiring! Have a sweet day!

Jules said...

This is getting beyond ridiculous! Today we were in a town about an hours drive away and much larger than ours...went into a new (to me) interiors shop and the piece that pulled Lise, the 'Top' and me up was the second image (the harlequin chest)!!!!We all loved it!

Allie and Pattie said...

I LOVE the look of painting one piece in a room- such a statement!
xoxo Pattie

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Kathysue!
I think a bit of whimsy is very important in making your home feel more relaxed and happy. It also says alot about the owner's personality.

I am in love with the pink vanity and mirror, I'd love to see that in my home everyday.

hugs
Sissie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Good morning Kathysue, I love whimsical touches in a home, too. My mother does also. I went on a home tour yesterday with my sister and in the Nanny's room they had a regular square chest that someone painted a curvy chest on the front and sides of it. The background was black and then the curvy chest painted on was in a distressed cream so it looked like you were looking at the curvy chest because the black background made the square part disappear. I thought that was very whimsical.

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

Love, love the painted vanities, the pink is so fabulous. A fun and whimsical post. Have the best weekend. XO

La Dolfina said...

I have always loved the photo of the rope swing beds, now that's my kind of whimsy!!
Another great post!!

lisa golightly said...

Oh I am LOVING all those vanities ! I am even more inspired to do soomething like this to my bathroom ! Oh and those beds on the ropes ... awesome.

Love your blog !
Lisa

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Kathysue, how fun. Some of this I could live with and then some of it is a little too whimsical for me. Great pictures and it definitely stirs the imagination. Hope you are having a wonderful day. Hugs, Marty

artis1111 said...

I think you are right. Everything doesn't have to be so straight laced, have a little fun in your home. My kitchen and hall table are proof of that. hehe Love all of these photos. Kathy

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

Love it! You're right! Whimsy makes you happy, and all of these images have their own "whimsy factor". I may paint of piece of furniture this weekend. It's going to be a nasty weekend, so I'm planning to stay in...better check my paint colors! Thanks for the inspiration, Kathysue. Love it!

Unknown said...

OMG! You are speaking my language! I love nothing more than when friends and family describe something in my home as whimsical! So of course I also love Mackenzie Child as well! And, that pillow in the first image is the best! Loved this post! Such a great collection.

Kat said...

Love all of these examples, but that pale blue clapboard kitchen/great room just really speaks to me - I love it! And those rope swing beds, how neat is that? But I hope they have some really heavy duty joist fasteners :) Hugs, Kat

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Kathysue, I do love your lamp! Great pictures. laurie

Marija said...

Kathysue these are perfect pictures for that tile - or is that title perfect for these pictures?! I will admit, though, that the zigzag bookshelf would drive me crazy. Can you imagine trying to keep everything on there from sliding off? I try so hard not to be obsessive about my bookshelves - I just don't think I could handle this one! I'll take one of those dynamic bath vanities instead, please!! Marija